(I edited this sorry for submiting it before I didn't intended)
My view is totally different. Nowadays there is a less visible EU, as Germany has no counterpower inside EU. It's the only economy still standing after the crysis and as it doesn't want to devalorize itself, Germany keeps pushing Euro around to their own will as the Central European Bank is dependent on Germany to have sustainability.
So, nowadays EU is based, more than ever in economy and finance and that makes Germany the lead player.
However EU has grown as much as a social union of countries, as an economic union. The Euro currency and freedom of travel within EU made us share much more than just cash and goods. It made us have a lot of common experiences, it made us grow as a community and we feel strongly tied to each other. I never seen a moment in history where Europe has been like this except today (and probably on the Roman empire).
This contributes greatly to social stability and share of ideas within EU and every country in EU has the notion that this is of utmost importance... However if we think of EU only in economic terms, we can throw it all down.
If we can handle Germany rightful desire to keep being a strong economy, and if we can also have something to say in term of European Economy in our European Economic Union, and if Germany can respect the fact that this social and multicultural community contributes to peace and to the right environment for economic growth (their own too), then I think EU will find themselves in the right position to face 50 more years.
I'm conscious to the fact that my country was in need of what's happening now economically and politically speaking. Though I feel terrible for a lot of people's situation in this very moment, wich is dramatic and ultimately unfair.We need to refurbish our way of dealing with work and production. We need that as a country but we never felt that need before as much as nowadays.
However, I feel we are growing now but at the cost of a lot of misery. Germany will have to grow too, be sensible to this and allow for social support on our countries. Without it, without this "wasted money" we can have no social stability here, therefore there will be no social stability in our countries, nor in Europe. I believe Germany is being more and more sensible to this too, as they also have this social situation inside, with a lot of people from eastern germany, not being able to be as productive or socially integrated as people in the western cities.
If countries from EU, UK included, work on this together - economic growth in pair with social stability and equality, I think EU will stand and come out stronger than before.
My final thought would be crysis are the engine of society.